Our mission is to enhance educational opportunities for Durand Area School students.

The Educational Foundation attained status as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in 2014. The Foundation operates independently of the school district and offers mini grants to staff and volunteers who desire funding for unique educational experiences for Durand students.

Supporters of the Foundation include businesses, local organizations, parents, former and current Durand staff, alumni, community members and others who are interested in the educational welfare of Durand students.

As of February 2026, DEF has provided over $168,000 in grants for education.

As of February 2026, DEF has provided over $168,000 in grants for education.

This includes field trips, theatre presentations, skill building camps and other experiences that add unique learning opportunities for students. A list of funded projects can be found under Grants in Action.

Charitable Solicitation License

Durand Educational Foundation is registered with the State of Michigan and has a current Charitable Solicitation License.

DEF Board

Our Leadership

Seated: Jan Harper, Leslie Harden, Merrie Jones; 2nd Row Center: Kari Landris, Sharon Patsey, Teresa McKay; 3rd Row Left: Becky Napier, Monica Garske, Roger Zick, Greg Shook; 4th Row: Shannon Knapp, Jennifer Huff, Courtney Gazso

Jan Harper, Chairperson

Jan Harper has been involved with education in Durand for more years than she cares to count. She taught high school art for 27 years, served on the Durand Board of Education for nine years and has been in a leadership position with Durand Educational Foundation since its inception in 2013. In addition, Jan worked in the nonprofit sector, including three years managing the restoration of Durand Union Station. She also served on the Board of Trustees at Memorial Healthcare in Owosso. If she has spare time, which is sometimes questionable, Jan likes to work in her flower garden, travel and spend time with family and friends. Helping provide memorable learning experiences for students is what Jan enjoys most about being a Foundation board member.

Kari Landris, Vice Chair

Kari is a Durand Alumni who feels Durand Area Schools allowed her a wonderful education that set her up for success. Her children now attend Durand Schools, and she wants the future for them and their classmates to remain bright. She is excited to be able to work with an organization that supports teachers and students inside and outside the classroom with resources that may not be available otherwise. Kari has been a board member since 2019.

Roger Zick, Treasurer

Roger Zick joined the Foundation Board in 2013 where he immediately tackled the job of Foundation Treasurer. He is a Durand graduate as well as a parent and grandparent of Durand students. Roger retired after 33 years as an educator in this school district. He currently enjoys volunteer work in the community, including Memorial Hospice, Shiawassee Respite, and this Foundation. As the father of two teachers in the district, he is keenly aware of the need for teacher mini-grants and other community support to provide special learning opportunities for our students.

Teresa (Lundie) McKay, Secretary

Teresa has been a Board member since the Foundation’s inception, serving as secretary. Her history with Durand Schools began in high school as she is a proud DHS graduate. She feels fortunate to have been part of excellent teaching teams, working with wonderful students at Doyle Knight, Wilbur Bills and Bertha Neal Elementary Schools. Her entire career, teaching grades 2-6 at various times, was devoted to Durand Area Schools. In addition to her Foundation involvement, Teresa is a volunteer in the Robert Kerr School library and has been a member of 100+ Women Who Care since the Durand Chapter’s formation in 2016.

Sharon (Bowden) Patsey

Sharon is a proud Durand & CMU graduate and life-long resident of the area. Besides working at Lennon Telephone / TVC Cable, she is also involved with the Durand 100 Women Who Care group and the Friends of Doyle Knight who are building the Lennon Area Veteran’s Park. Sharon and her husband Bob have two “Railroaders,” one who has graduated and attends U of M; and one currently in high school. Go Blue and Go Blue !! Bob is a partner of D-Railed Bar and Grill, and they both feel strongly about supporting local businesses and the community. Watching Durand kids benefit from the grants received from the Foundation has been extremely fulfilling for Sharon and she is very grateful to be a Board member.

Monica (Perry) Garske

Monica has been a Foundation board member since 2017. She is a Durand graduate and her grandchildren are 5th generation Railroaders! Monica ‘s father served on the Durand Board of Education for twenty-two years and now her daughter is following in granddad’s footsteps by being a member of the current Board of Education. It is Monica’s belief that she can be helpful in keeping Durand Schools a successful and happy place for children.

Merrie Jones

Merrie has been a member of the Foundation board since 2017. Born in Flint, she graduated from GMI (now Kettering University) as an Industrial Engineer. Merrie has lived in Durand for over 40 years. Her children attended Durand Area Schools where Merrie was active as a classroom and library volunteer, band booster member and an enthusiastic sports supporter. She has been a substitute teacher in the Durand Area Schools for over 20 years.

Jennifer (Kilbreath) Huff

Jennifer is a graduate of Durand Area High School, resident of Durand and a parent to two Durand graduates. She is a speech-language pathologist, who advocates for public school students and has a passion for students with special needs. In addition to her own board involvement, Jennifer has recruited her husband and father for Foundation trivia fundraisers. Jennifer has been on the DEF board since 2018.

Leslie (Harden) Telford

Leslie was born and raised in Durand. Five generations of her family have attended Durand Area Schools, including her grandchildren. She is married to Kirk Telford and they reside in Bancroft. Leslie has served on the DEF board since 2019.

Rebecca Napier

Rebecca is a lifelong resident of Shiawassee County and graduate of Durand High School. She and her high school sweetheart married and raised a daughter who is now a doctor. Rebecca worked for Durand Schools as a paraprofessional and later as a teacher for Owosso. As a retiree, she enjoys tutoring children in literacy, serving on the board of Respite Volunteers of Shiawassee and the Durand Educational Foundation. Rebecca has been a DEF Board member since 2019.

Greg Shook

Greg Shook joined the Foundation Board in 2023. He graduated from Durand Schools and has been a lifelong resident of the district. All of his sons attended Durand Schools. He was also on the Durand Board of Education for 12 years. He has been a teacher and school principal, retiring after more than 30 years in the field of education.

Shannon (Anderson) Knapp

Shannon is currently the Superintendent of Durand Area Schools. She has been a lifelong Railroader, starting her journey in Kindergarten at Bertha Neal Elementary and graduating from Durand High School. After earning simultaneous Bachelor Degrees, she returned to Durand Schools to teach at Durand High School, before becoming Assistant Principal and then onto becoming the Principal. Shannon enjoys working with Durand Students and Staff at all levels. She has a connection and bond to Durand that is immeasurable. She married a fellow Durand grad and together they are raising their only child who is a part of Durand’s Class of 2024. Shannon is honored to be a part of the Durand Education Foundation as Superintendant of Durand Area Schools, and as such, is an ex officio non-voting Foundation Board member.

Courtney Gaszo

Courtney is a fourth generation Durand graduate with her two Railroader students proudly continuing the family tradition as fifth generation students. She joined the DEF Board in 2025 and is also a volunteer at Durand Union Station. Passionate about supporting the Durand community, Courtney considers it an honor to help ensure the continued success of Durand Area Schools and its students.